In this tutorial, you will learn how to create three amazing Photoshop portrait effects by creating Instagram photo filters. I will explain everything in so much detail that everyone can create them, even those who have just opened Photoshop for the first time. 

The effects shown above are the ones I will show you how to create in this tutorial. If you would like to create the Instagram-inspired photo effect shown below, then check out Instagram Filter - Photoshop Action.

What You'll Need

To recreate the design above, you will need the following resources:

• 
  Stock Image 
  
  

1. Let's Get Started

First, open the photo that you want to work with. To open your photo, go to File > Open, choose your photo, and click Open. Now, before we get started, just check a couple of things:

1. Your photo should be in RGB Color mode, 8 Bits/Channel. To check this, go to Image > Mode.


2. For best results, your photo size should be 2000–4000 px wide/high. To check this, go to Image > Image Size.
   
   


3. Your photo should be the Background layer. If it is not, go to Layer > New > Background from Layer.

2. How to Create a Nashville-Inspired Instagram Photo Filter

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create a Nashville-inspired Instagram photo filter. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels to create a new levels adjustment layer and name it F_1_Levels.

Step 2

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 3

Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it F_1_Color_Fill, and choose the color #edd593 as shown below:

Step 4

Now change the Blending Mode of this layer to Multiply.

Step 5

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast to create a new brightness/contrast adjustment layer and name it F_1_Brightness/Contrast.

Step 6

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, set the Brightness to 19 and Contrast to 29.

Step 7

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves to create a new curves adjustment layer and name it F_1_Curves.

Step 8

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 9

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Vibrance to create a new vibrance adjustment layer and name it F_1_Vibrance.

Step 10

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, set the Vibrance to +26.

Step 11

Shift-click on the F_1_Levels layer to select all layers between at the same time. Then, go to Layer > New > Group from Layers to create a new group from the selected layers, and name it Filter_1.

Step 12

Here is the final result for our first filter:

3. How to Create a Poprocket-Inspired Instagram Photo Filter

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create a Poprocket-inspired Instagram photo filter. Hide the Filter_1 group and select the Background layer. Then, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels to create a new levels adjustment layer and name it F_2_Levels.

Step 2

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 3

Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient to create a new gradient fill layer, name it F_2_Gradient_Fill, and enter the settings below:

Step 4

Now change the Blending Mode of this layer Lighten.

Step 5

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves to create a new curves adjustment layer and name it F_2_Curves.

Step 6

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 7

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Vibrance to create a new vibrance adjustment layer and name it F_2_Vibrance.

Step 8

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, set the Vibrance to +46.

Step 9

Shift-click on the F_2_Levels layer to select all layers between at the same time. Then, go to Layer > New > Group from Layers to create a new group from the selected layers, and name it Filter_2.

Step 10

Here is the final result for our second filter:

4. How to Create a Gotham-Inspired Instagram Photo Filter

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create a Gotham-inspired Instagram photo filter. Hide the Filter_2 group and select the Background layer. Then, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Black & White to create a new black and white adjustment layer and name it F_3_Black_&_White.

Step 2

Now change the Blending Mode of this layer to Color and set the Opacity to 80%.

Step 3

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map to create a gradient map adjustment layer and name it F_3_Gradient_Map.

Step 4

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail, and then in the Properties panel, click on the gradient to open up the Gradient Editor panel and enter the settings below:

Step 5

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Soft Light.

Step 6

Now go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels to create a new levels adjustment layer and name it F_3_Levels.

Step 7

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, enter the settings below:

Step 8

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast to create a new brightness/contrast adjustment layer and name it F_3_Brightness/Contrast.

Step 9

Now Double-click on this layer thumbnail and, in the Properties panel, set the Contrast to 30.

Step 10

Now press Control-Alt-Shift-E on your keyboard to make a screenshot, and then press Control-Shift-U to desaturate this layer. Then, go to Filter > Other > High Pass and set the Radius to 10 px.

Step 11

Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Hard Light and name it Subject Sharpening.

Step 12

Now Shift-click on the F_3_Black_&_White layer to select all layers between at the same time. Then, go to Layer > New > Group from Layers to create a new group from the selected layers, and name it Filter_3.

Step 13

Here is the final result for our third filter:

You Made It!

Congratulations, you have succeeded! You can now show/hide different filter folders to achieve different effects. Here are our final results:

If you would like to create the Instagram inspired photo effect shown below, then check out Instagram Filter - Photoshop Action.

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